Agricultural Innovation: What Levers Promote Adoption within Cooperatives?

June 30, 2026

For ten years, Fermes Leader has been supporting the 30 cooperatives in its network in the identification, experimentation, and deployment of innovative solutions addressing the challenges of the agricultural world. The 100+ projects conducted within the network nevertheless converge toward the same observation: although innovations are numerous and needs are very present, their adoption by farmers and their technicians often remains complex.

To better understand why and identify the levers to be activated to remedy this, Fermes Leader surveyed 45 French agricultural cooperatives through a survey conducted among directors, department heads and technicians.

A survey to answer 4 key questions

👉 What are the barriers to innovation adoption among farmers and within cooperatives?

👉 How can cooperatives accelerate the adoption and deployment of innovations and AgTech?

👉 What practices and levers of action distinguish the most advanced cooperatives in terms of innovation?

👉 What are the priority innovation themes within cooperatives?

Key findings from our survey

“Today, the challenge is no longer solely about developing innovations, but about successfully ensuring their sustainable adoption in the field.”

3 out of 4 surveyed cooperatives have a dedicated innovation structure or are in the process of structuring one. The innovation strategy of the surveyed cooperatives is less frequently formalized. In other words, innovation is often carried out operationally, but not yet always as a fully managed strategic axis.
Despite the intensification of innovation efforts, the level of innovation adoption by farmers and within cooperatives is still considered “moderate” by the majority of the 63 respondents.
The cost of innovations and uncertainty regarding return on investment are by far the leading barriers identified. An innovation must therefore be secured, proven, and supported to be adopted.
The levers for adoption are clearly identified by respondents: the most effective cooperatives combine field trials, demonstrations, technical support, regular communication, training, and experience sharing. Field proof is decisive: farmers are more likely to adopt an innovative solution when they see concrete, local, and economically credible results.